A New Space for Travel and Adventure

Erin Bannen
Marketing Intern

The Travel Adventure Film Series subscribers are one of my favorite groups of patrons at the Wisconsin Union Theater. Some of them have been attending the series for 50 years, and they treat it with a kind of reverence. These are the kind of people that have a fierce desire to learn, and a deep respect for other cultures. What more could you ask for in a Travel Adventure Film Series audience member?

As many subscribers already know, the Wisconsin Union Theater will be closed for renovations this year. So we bring you a Travel Adventure Film Series that is as exciting as it is exotic, and it's in a new space! The Marquee at Union South.

As a nod to the constant support of our Travel Adventure Film Series subscribers, we are pleased to announce an open house at the new location. We hope you'll join us!

When?

Saturday Sept. 8th

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Where?

 The Marquee at Union South, 2nd Floor
1308 W Dayton, Madison, WI, 53715

Where Can You Park?

Free parking is available in the following lots starting at 4:30pm (no baselot permit is needed for these lots):
•    Lot 16 (Police Station, 48 N. Randall Ave)
•    Lot 51 (30 N. Mills Street, 30 N. Mills Street)
•    Lot 54 (Weeks Hall, 112 N. Charter Street)
•    Lot 56 (Zoology Research, 255 N. Charter Street)
If you have a campus baselot parking permit, you may also park for free in Lot 13 (Computer Sciences, 1217 W Johnson Street) but you must make sure you display your baselot permit. There is also paid meter parking available in Lot 18 (Camp Randall, 1420 Monroe St) for $1.50 per hour.
Free parking in these lots may end when Transportation Services implements nighttime parking costs in many campus lots starting on September 1st. Check http://www.news.wisc.edu/20552 for the most up to date information on which lots will incur these new costs.
Paid parking is available at these lots at a rate of $1.25 for the first hour and $1.00/hr after:
•    Lot 17 (North of Camp Randall, 1525 Engineering Drive)
•    Lot 20 (McArdle Lab/MSC, 1390 University Avenue)

The Move: Who's Going Where During the Theater's Renovation

Allie Pesch

Marketing Intern

Summer 2012 for the staff and interns at the Union Theater kicks off two years of a dark theater, multiple renovations, and a big move over to Union South and other locations. Before any of the scheduled renovations and changes can happen, though, we all have to pack up and move out! It is a bittersweet experience for most of the staff here at the Union Theater, but most agree it is well worth it.

The Union Theater's renovation is part of the Memorial Union Reinvestment Project which will renovate the entire west wing, fifth floor and, of course, the Union Theater. It will help preserve the building's history, upgrade and improve accessibility, promote sustainability, and enhance the already wonderful Wisconsin Union experience! The Union Theater’s renovation will be done specifically to preserve its history as well as to meet the ever-changing needs of its members, staff and performers. There will also be a “Sunset Lounge” added on to the north side of the theater, offering year-round views of Lake Mendota.



Photo rendering of the theater lounge addition.



Another photo rendering of the theater lounge addition.



Our staff here at the Union Theater started off the summer by furiously prepping and packing up the theater as we are all planning on making the move over to Union South later this week. Many of our staff are moving there to continue our daily work lives, but some of us will be placed in various other locations around campus.

 

Esty Dinur, Director of Marketing and Communications, will be moving to the third floor of the Memorial Union for the next two years. Esty,  still busy with some projects that need to be finished up, has only recently started packing up the last 10 years worth of stuff in her office.Ask her and she'll tell you that she is more busy with logistics at the moment than thinking about the impending move.

Esty said that the change will be both challenging and interesting. Working long distance from the rest of the theater's team will be a challenge since the staff has developed a somewhat family-like relationship and she is used to being able to poke her head in anyone's door and ask a question or make a suggestion. On the other hand, working with the Union's Marketing Team will be interesting and will help consolidate relationships with the rest of the Union. 



Fun times at the WUT!



On the marketing end of the move, Esty explained that a big challenge she will face with the renovation will be customer parking. A lot of people do not realize that Union South and the  other venues where the Season will take place have parking available for their use. Esty says she will be putting a lot of work into promoting parking and will be coming up with surprising and interesting ways to spread the word about its availability, as well as the 2012-2013 season.

With all of the challenges, however, Esty is still very excited that the theater will be upgraded and updated and said that the changes are well overdue. She is looking forward to the re-opening of the Union Theater in 2014 and the theater’s opening gala that will follow.

Another member of our team, Ted Harks,  Box Office Manager, will also sadly not be joining the majority of us in Union South but will be making the move over to Vilas Hall this week to join and manage the Campus Arts Ticketing Service for the theater's  2012-2013 season and for other campus arts organizations. Ted seems prepared for the big move, being very organized and excited for the changes over the next two years and seeing the move as an opportunity to collaborate with the box office staff in Vilas.

Ted has already noticed some changes with ticket numbers for the 2012-2013 seasons events. He explained that the challenge for the Box Office and theater as a whole will be communication between the customers and the theater and creative planning and marketing will definitely help to show customers the changes and options they have for the 2012-2013 season.

Ted explained his job will not be changing drastically as part of the move but will actually be a precursor for other changes and transitions over the next few years. He will soon add the responsibility of managing the Box Office , something he is familiar with and has done before. This new responsibility includes properly staffing the Box Office and making sure it runs smoothly.

Like the rest of the staff here at the Union Theater Ted said it will be a bit difficult to leave the theater and explained, “As the walls around us start to become more bare, it’s hard not to be sentimental.”



Photo rendering of the renovated Wisconsin Union Theater.



The move is bringing a lot of changes for most of the staff here at the Union Theater but as of now, there will be no permanent staffing changes and everyone is set to come back to the theater when it re-opens in 2014. One way the staff will keep its team together and its dynamic intact is to still get together for their monthly and weekly meetings. During this transition period, the entire staff insisted on remaining a team and trying to keep things as “normal” as possible with the upcoming changes over the next two years.

We are all sad to see the theater go dark for the next two seasons but excited for the necessary changes with the renovation. The 2012-2013 season is still on, folks, so we hope you all make it to our scheduled events without too much trouble (there will be plenty of posts and updates to help you!) We will keep you updated on everything we are doing and continue to cover the move as well as the renovations on the theater so stay tuned! For more information, please visit our website, Facebook, Twitter and Blogger.



Claire's I Heart the Archives - The WUT Archives get a new home!

Hello, Readers. As I'm sure you have heard by now, the Wisconsin Union Theater is undergoing a much needed renovation starting at the end of this month! We are still in the process of cleaning out every nook and cranny in this wonderful place. This, of course, is true for our archives. Because of our very limited space in the proposed plan for an archive room, we've decided to move our entire collection to the UW Archives in Steenbock Library. This is a win-win situation because it will allow the public to view them at any time (as long as they are open)!

I've been working hard with our student staff to go through every single box, de-duplicating items, making xerox copies of old, crumbling newspaper articles, and generally gawking with amazement at all the incredible performers who have graced our stage. We've come across some incredibly interesting and unexpected items along the way including: a letter sent to the New York Times in the 1920s, before the Union Theater was built, stating the potential importance of a theater on a University campus; a large photo of Uta Hagen and her Father standing in front of the Union Theater; countless scrapbooks from Haresfoot; larger-than-life posters sent by agencies; and many signed photographs and autograph books.

During the time the WUT is being renovated, we will be working on some permanent displays and possibly an addition to the 75th Anniversary book written by former director, Fan Taylor. And we'll keep sharing some of the treasures with you through this blog. Stay tuned!

New Parking! Get the Inside Info Here

Alexis Brown
Marketing Intern

Yep, we’re closing down the theater this coming season. We’re sad to see it close, but on the plus side, since we’re spreading out our shows over different venues, that means there are even more options for parking! Check out the info below to find out more about where you can park this coming season when you go see shows at Mills Hall, Music Hall, Morphy Hall and Union South:

Parking For Mills Hall and Music Hall Click here to view our Parking Map Reserved Parking You may reserve a parking space at lot 6, 7, 46, 80, 83, subject to availability, when you buy your tickets.

Parking For Mills Hall, Morphy Hall and Music Hall Click here to view our Parking Map Reserved Parking Arts events parking, including Union Theater Season events, can be purchased in advance from Campus Arts Ticketing, 608-265-ARTS (2787), 821 University Ave., entrance at  the East Campus Mall. Lots available are 6, 7, 46, 80 and 83. Subject to availability. Public Parking Several campus and city parking lots near Mills Hall, Morphy Hall and Music Hall are available to the general public. Their rates are likely to change this coming September. They include the following: ·         The UW Grainger Hall (UW Lot 7) parking garage is open daily after 5:00 pm for a $7 pay-on-entry fee; enter from Brooks Street, between University Avenue and W. Johnson, turn right after entering and proceed to the booth attendant at the gated area. ·         UW Lot 46, on the northeast corner of W. Johnson and Lake Streets, has 4- and 10-hour meters available to the public on weekends and after 5:00 pm weekdays ($1.25 per hour). ·         Helen C. White parking lot (UW Lot 6). The lower section of this lot is open to the public as an 8-hour metered lot ($1.00 per hour). ·         The city-owned Lake and Frances Street parking ramps (between State Street and University Avenue) have a $5.00/day on-entry fee after 6:00 pm. Parking is more expensive on days of Kohl Center events. Important note: Some events may take place on the same night as Men’s Basketball or Hockey at the Kohl Center. Finding parking for these events might be challenging. We recommend the following good options and suggest that you give yourself a little additional time to park. ·         Lot 7 (Under Grainger Hall, corner of Park and University, enter on Brooks St.) Permits are $7. ·         Lot 83 (Under Fluno Center, corner of Frances and University, enter on Frances St.) Permits are $5 and are available from the attendant. Free Parking Options after 4:30pm ·         Lot 25 and 26 (along Observatory Drive) Less than 3 blocks from Mills Hall, Morphy Hall and Music Hall ·         Lot 34 (Turn left from Park St. onto Observatory Drive, travel 1/2 mile, turn right onto Babcock Drive turn right at 1st street then into lot 34) Take the Lakeshore path 3 blocks east to the Union Theater, then one block down to find Music Hall. Across North Park Street is Mills Hall.   Parking for Union South

Parking for Theater Season events at Union South is conveniently located and available in lot 80 (under Union South) and lots 17 (North of Camp Randall, 1525 Engineering Drive) and 20 (McArdle Lab/MSC, 1390 University Avenue)--both within 2 blocks of Union South.  Pull a ticket upon entrance, pay by the hour as you leave: $1.25 for the first hour and $1.00/hr thereafter (max of $5) after 4:30pm weeknights.  Lots 17 and 20 are free on Saturday and Sunday. 

Free parking is available in the following lots starting at 4:30pm (no baselot permit is needed for these lots):

·         Lot 16 (Police Station, 48 N. Randall Ave)

·         Lot 51 (30 N. Mills Street, 30 N. Mills Street)

·         Lot 54 (Weeks Hall, 112 N. Charter Street)

·         Lot 56 (Zoology Research, 255 N. Charter Street) 

If you have a campus baselot parking permit, you may also park for free in Lot 13 (Computer Sciences, 1217 W Johnson Street) but you must make sure you display your baselot permit. There is also paid meter parking available in Lot 18 (Camp Randall, 1420 Monroe St) for $1.50 per hour. 

Free parking in these lots may end when Transportation Services implements nighttime parking fees in many campus lots starting on September 1st. Check http://www.news.wisc.edu/20552 for the most up-to-date information on which lots will incur these new costs.

Jeffrey Siegel: Spellbinding Bach and Listening to the Dance!

Erin Bannen
Marketing Intern

My Dad hates Socratic teaching. "I'm sitting there in front of an award-winning professor," he says, "and he wants to know what I think? I want to know what he thinks!" Learning ideologies aside, I get his point; it's pretty neat to be in front of a genius and listen to what s/he's got to say.

So I'm predictably crazy about Jeffrey Siegel. He's an undeniably accomplished pianist (just take a glance at his biography,) but what I love about him isn't his solo performances; it's his decision to have "Keyboard Conversations," concerts in which he combines excellent technique with a behind the music commentary. I get to hear what a world-class musician knows about Mozart, Bach, Schubert--and in the 2012-2013 Season he's even got a concert about dance music!

This concert season, don't miss the Wisconsin Union Theater's presentation of one of the most talented performers as he shares his thoughts and experiences regarding the spellbinding nature of Bach, and the music behind dance music.

Meet Allie

Allie Pesch

Marketing Intern

Hello, all!

My name is Allie Pesch and I am your newest summer 2012 intern here at the Wisconsin Union Theater. I am a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Arts degree in arts management and communications. I have been involved in theater and dance (see below for my favorite dance sequence from Singing in the Rain) my entire life so I feel right at home here in the Union Theater and I am excited to continue working in the theater world. I just recently moved down here to Madison from Stevens Point and although it is a big change I am loving every bit of the city as well as the theater!

This summer, I will be working on multiple projects and working in multiple departments. I will mainly be working with Esty Dinur, Marketing and Communications Director, as a marketing intern helping her with promotional materials for various events. I will also be working on one of the coolest projects ever! I get to dig through the theater's archives and help prep them for permanent storage before our big move. (I touched an autographed photo of Ella Fitzgerald!)

I’ve also been given the opportunity to help out with a few festivals throughout the summer. The first one wasthe Isthmus Jazz Festival on the Terrace where I got to help out with the promotion/information booth while listening to some fierce jazz performances. Great job everyone!

I am hoping to also get the chance to work with Development and Outreach and assist in writing a grant, help out with the Box Office, as well as work on some outreach programs and, of course, helping with the move over to Union South. Lots of exciting stuff happening this summer!

I am only a week into my internship but I am pleased to say that I love it already. I am excited about the work I am doing here at the theater and I am definitely enjoying the people I get to work with. The staff and team of interns are so welcoming and helpful, thanks guys!

One of my favorite things about Madison is the Terrace!

I am excited to be spending my summer in the beautiful city of Madison, WI and to be working at the Wisconsin Union Theater. I’m looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead and can’t wait to see where the summer takes me! Keep your eyes peeled for my future blog posts, followers!